Saruman and Caradhras

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Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

I would say the best way of interpretation would be to say that blocking Caradhras from Saruman's part was either a way of getting rid of Gandalf as the dangerous figure of the good side (Saruman presuming that the Balrog would finish him) or we can interpretate Saruman's words "And what then, Gandalf? What if the mountain defeats you? Will you dare to..." as if he thought that Gandalf probably would NOT dare to enter Moria, and this would mean taking the remaining path: near Isengard.

The whole plan was thwarted by the Watcher in the Lake. It was supposed to scare the Fellowship away from the doors, not into the Mines. The mere threat of the Balrog should have been enough to keep Gandalf from attempting the Dark Road after the path across Caradhras was closed. This would have brought the Ring down south past Isengard. Rewatch the scene where all of Saruman's birds appear and note that Gandalf, recently a captive of the White Wizard, suggests that the Ring make for the Gap of Rohan. Gimli suggests Moria, but they attempt the snow first.

The Watcher, smashing the doors, entombs the Fellowship in Moria . A bit overdone, but this may have been due to it being upset, having missed Bill the Pony. With the Ring now trapped in Moria, Saruman would have to go all the way around to claim his prize if another didn't beat him to it.

Unless, that is, the Watcher worked for Sauron, and Balrog was to deliver the Ring to Mordor, and Sauron would then have sent a 'Thank you' to Saruman for driving the Fellowship into the Black Pit.

It's all so...ah...clear.